The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-07-14
WON'T VISIT ST. LOUIS
Te1t 4 tla Pfs,idsst's Letter pls|isj,e ~ ii.
\ titstisA to Do tie Cits's 4ue6t Il G6isSn-

TEXT 4 ~ rt.sid.at's l.ttsr p,sli,lye u. Il.
titstisA to b tie Cits's ass6t Il SSbeSn.
eef. .
He Wspld DO Nothjss to Distarb tAp Harmony
efthe g. 4. 3. Hen ct Their 4aesup.
mont,
WAsa1Noros, Special Telegram, July IT,
land to the mayor OF st. Louis, Who was
the chairman OF the committee OF citizens
who invited the president to visit St. Louis
during the holding OF the encampment OF
the Grand Army OF the Republic, in Sop
tember, 10 published to-day:
Executive Mansion, Washington, July 4.
Hon. David r: Francis. Mayor and
Chairman Dear Sir: When l received the
from the citizens OF St. Louis, rendered 81
number OF her representative mon, To
visit that city during the national encamp-
ment Of tho GIand Army of the Republic,
! had been contemplating for some time
the acceptance OF the invitation from that
organization to the same effect, oud had
considered the pleasure which it would al
lord me II 1t should he possible to meet,
not only members Of the Grand Army, but
the people OF St. Louis and other cities
In the West which occasion would give
me ah opportunity to visit. Thee xactions
Of my public duties I feel to be 10 uncef,
tain, however. that when first confronted
by the delegation, OF which you were tho
head, l expected to do no more at that
time than to promise consideration of the
double invitation rendered me, and to ex.
press the pleasure 1t would give me to &C.
ONT IN fkn~ ~ n,>k
the cordiality and sincerity OF your pres:
entation, reinforced by the heartiness oi
the people. who surrounded you, 90 i'm:
pressed me that could not resist the feel:
ing which prompted me to assure you on
the spot that would be with you and the
Grand Army OF the Republic at tho time
then designated, II nothing happened
in tho meantime to absolutely prevent
my leaving Washington. Immediately up.
on the public announcement OF this cod.
clusion, expressions emanating from Ger.
tain important members OF the Grand
Army OF the Republic and increasing il
volume and virulence. constrained me to
review my acceptance OF these invitations.
The expressions referred to 60 to the OK.
tent OF declaring that would be an un.
welcome guest at the time and place Of tho
| national encampment. This statement %
based as we'll as can judge, upon certain
public interests, done under the restraints
and obligations OF my oath Of office, which
do not appear to accord with the wishes OF
some members OF the Grand Army OF tho Re.
public. refuse to believe that this or
ganization, founded upon patriotic ideas,
composed very largely OF men entitled to
lasting honor and consideration, and
whose browning glory it should be that
they are American citizens as we'll as sold.
Sora 6oomo ~ rort ~ ifo vo{oninn "a
compass any object or purpose by at
tempting to
lNTIMlDATE THE EXECUTIVE
or coerce those charged with making and
executing the laws; and yet, the expressions
to which have referred indicate such a
prevalence OF unfriendly feeling and such q
menac to an occasion which should be
armonious, peaceful and cordial, that
they can not be ignored. beg you to Vn.
derstand that am not conscious OF any
act of mine which should make me fear to
meet the Grand Army OF tho Republic or
any other assemblage OF my fellow citizens.
The account OF my official stewardship il
always ready Tor presentation to my coun.
trymen. l should not be frank If failed
to confess, while disclaining all resentment,
that have been hurt by those unworthy
and wanton attacks upon me, growing out
OF this matter, and tho reckless manner in
which my actions and motives have been
misrepre 'ented, both publicly and private
ly-for which, however, tho Grand Army
of the Republic, as body, is not response.
bic. Threats of personal violence and
harm in case take the trip In question:
which scores OF misguided, unbalanced men,
under stimulation OF excited feeling,
have made-are not even considered. Rath-
er than abandon my visit to the West, and
disappoint your citizens, might il alone
90 ornoA er4,D,ik tn inc,,7t t1 uyhir1,
it is quite openly asserted, would be help.
lessly subjected If present at the encamp.
ment, but should bear with me there the
peoples highest Office, the dignity OF which
must protect, and believe that neither
the Grand Army OF the Republic, as an or
ganization, nor anything like q majority
OF it's members, would ever encourage any
ever, among the membership Of thts
body there are some, as certainly seems
to be the case, determined to de-
nounce me and my official acts at the ma
tional encampmept, believe they should
be permitted to do so unrestrained by my
presence az the guest of their organization,
or tho guest OF the hospitable city in which
their meeting is held. A number OF the
t Grand Army posts n' have e'snlhed their N:
from the encampment in case I visit tho
city at that time.
10TH TO CAUSE TROUBLE,
Without considering the merit OfsuchRp
excuse. feel that ought not to be tho
cause OF such non. attendance. The time
and place OF tho encampment were
fixed long before my invitations were
received. Those desiring to par.
ticipate In its proceedings should be first
| regarded and no being should be permitted
to interfere with their Intentions. Another
cnnof1orcfinn of {,,,v< r{ar khon
all Others, remains to be noticed. The
fact was referred to by you when you YER
bally presented the invitation OF the citi-
zens OF st. Louis. that the coming encamp.
ment OF the Grand Army Of the Republic
would be the first held in Southern state.
suppose the TACT was mentioned as q
pleasing indiction OF the fraternal feeling
entire land, and hailed by every
patriotic citizen as an earnest that
the Union has really. and in fact, been
saved in the sentiment and spirit, with all
the benefits 1t vouchsafes t. q united PEG.
pie. cannot rid myself of the belief that
the least discord on this propitious oc-
casion might retard the progress OF the
sentiment Of common brotherhood. which
the Grand Army of the Republic has so
good an opportunity to increase and fos.
ter. certainly ought not to be the cause
J
pretext. 1t seems to me that you and the
citizens of St. Louis are entitled to this
unreserved statement OF conditions which
has constrained me to forego my con.
templated visit. and to withdraw my &C.
ceptance ofyour invitation. My pres.
ence in your city at the time you
have indicated can be OF but little moment
compared with the Importance Of the cor.
dial and harmonious entertainment OF
yonr other guests. l assure you that I
abandon my plan withou; the least per.
sonal feeling except regret, constrained
thereto by a sense Of duty actuated by q
desire to save any embarrassment to the
people OF St. Louis or their expected
guests, and with heartfelt and grateful ap.
probation OF the sincere and unaffected
kindness OF your citizens. Hoping the en-.
campment may be an occasion Of much
usefulness, and that it's proceedings may
illustrate the highest patriotism Of Ameri.
can citizenship, am yours, very sincerely,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
AHslt Called on Certain Practices.
Washington Special: Lieut. Gov. Rice